Farmers cut mango trees to bury bitter times

Last year,the production was 35% to 40% of the normal level,which was again less than the previous year’s produce.

Jasania said while mango production has been declining,prices have also dipped. As a result,farmers who have been into cultivating mango for the last 15 to 20 years have lost hope.

“This year,farmers in Akulwadi,Dasapur and many others villages have hired JCB machines (earth-movers) to clear mango trees from their fields,” said Dayabhai,director of Talala Marketing Yard.

Apart from low production and low prices,this season was also marred due to a dispute between farmers and mango traders the Talala Marketing Yard.

The traders wanted 10% commission from the farmers,who refused to pay. Even the Agriculture Produce Market Corporation (APMC) objected to traders asking for commission but the matter could not be resolved. According to Jasania,farmers approached the state government,but to no avail. As a result,not one mango was sold this season at Talala Marketing Yard.

Most of the trading took place at a private marketing yard,where one box containing 10 kgs sold for anything between Rs 100 to Rs 400. In absence of a proper price mechanism,farmers are exploited by traders,said Bharat Sojitra,president of Bharat Kisan Sangh of Talala.

“Small farmers who used to earn Rs 3-4 lakh every season are now getting just Rs 40,000 in hand. It has led to a livelihood crisis as they can’t grow anything in their mango orchards,hence the earth-movers to uproot trees,” Sojitra says.